Are they okay for Believers?
This is a very touchy subject for pastors to teach. They are fearful of the backlash from the
body. Therefore, you most likely will
not hear a teaching on tattoos.
Tattoos are more popular in America than ever before. The
number of people with tattoos has increased dramatically in recent years and
especially with the body of Jesus Christ. Have you noticed how many pastors, church
leaders, and members of their respective church have tattoos? Tattoos are not
just for delinquents or rebels anymore.
The New Testament does not say anything about whether a
believer in Jesus Christ should get a tattoo. Therefore, we cannot say that
getting a tattoo is a sin that so many use as an excuse. Or is it a sin? What does the Bible say?
We must consider what the bible says in Leviticus 19:28 You
shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any
marks on you: I am the Lord.
I sure there will be many of you saying that the Old
Testament does not apply because it is the old law and that the New Testament
and the new law supersedes the old law.
Why read the Old Testament? Interesting
that believers think they can compromise the Bible by excluding what is in the Old
Testament.
Ten Commandments – Exodos 20:1-17
Precepts – l Psalm 119:4 You have commanded us
to keep Your precepts diligently. Psalm
119:63 I am a companion of all who fear You, and of those who keep Your
precepts. Psalm 119:93 I will
never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life.
Statutes - Exodus 15:26 and said, “If you
diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His
sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none
of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord
who heals you.” Leviticus 18:5 You shall therefore keep My statutes and
My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the Lord. Leviticus
20:8 And you shall keep My statutes, and perform them: I am the Lord who
sanctifies you.
Jesus said He did not come to destroy the Law or leave out
Old Testament.
Matthew 5:17-19 “Do not think that I came to destroy the
Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and
earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till
all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these
commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of
heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the
kingdom of heaven.
◦ Children are to honor and obey their parents Ephesians
6:1–2 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. “Honor your father and mother,” which is the
first commandment with promise. For a minor to get a tattoo in violation of
his or her parents’ wishes is biblically unsupportable. Tattoos born of
rebellion are sinful.
◦ “Outward adornment” is not as important as the development
of the “inner self” and should not be the focus of a Christian 1 Peter 3:3–4
Do not let your adornment (tattoo) be merely outward—arranging the hair,
wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel— rather let it be the hidden person of
the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is
very precious in the sight of God. A person who desires a tattoo to garner
attention or draw admiration has a vain, sinful focus on self.
◦ God sees the heart, and our motivation for anything we do
should be to glorify God (1 Corinthians 10:31 Therefore, whether you eat or
drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God). Motivations
for getting a tattoo such as “to fit in,” “to stand out,” “to be cool” etc.,
fall short of the glory of God.
◦ Our bodies,
as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God. The believer’s body
is the temple of the Holy Spirit 1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you
are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? 1 Corinthians 6:19–20 Or do you not
know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you
have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore,
glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. How much
modification of that temple is appropriate? Is there a line that should not be
crossed? Is there a point at which the proliferation of tattoos on one body
ceases to be art and starts becoming sinful mutilation? This must be a matter
of individual reflection and honest prayer.
◦ We are Christ’s ambassadors, delivering God’s message to
the world 2 Corinthians 5:20 Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as
though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be
reconciled to God. What message does the tattoo send, and will it aid or
detract from representing Christ and sharing the gospel?
◦ Is it possible tattoo can become and idol
◦ Whatever does not come from faith is sin Romans 14:23
But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith;
for whatever is not from faith is sin, so the person getting the tattoo
should be fully convinced that it is God’s will for him or her.
Is it possible tattoos become and idol; An object of ardent
or excessive devotion and admiration or one that is adored, often blindly or
excessively?
Is a tattoo a carved image onto your flesh? Deuteronomy 4:23 Take heed to yourselves,
lest you forget the covenant of the Lord your God which He made with you, and
make for yourselves a carved image in the form of anything which the Lord your
God has forbidden you.
If you are still not convinced tattoos are a sin, perhaps
you can answer the questions below:
·
Do tattoos define you as a believer in Jesus
Christ and God almighty?
·
Do you think tattoos make you cool, special, or
important?
·
Do you parade your tattoos for everyone to see?
·
Are tattoos an addiction? Do you know addictions
are sin?
·
Are you setting a tattoo standard for you
kids? Meaning, is it okay to get a
tattoo at any age?
·
Does God and Jesus approve of your tattoos?
When Christians parade their tattoos, they are telling other
Christians it is okay to have tattoos. We
cannot be like Jesus if we got tattoos. The
Bible holds us accountable, but how can we apply Scripture to our lives if we
do not know Scripture? We must read the
Bible. Do not let the world program you
and define you. Tattoos are of this
world.
We cannot be one with tattoos. We must be one with God. 1 Corinthians 6:17 17 But he who is joined
to the Lord is one spirit with Him. John
14:20 At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in
you.
Thank you God for your revelations from Your Word
